Sustainable integration of laying hens with crops in organic farming. A review

Soares, Pedro R.; Lopes, Marta A. R.; Martins, C.; Santos, Daniela; Oliveira, Maria Alexandra

doi:10.1080/21683565.2022.2073509

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 114 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Different kinds of organic materials and agricultural/food industry bio-products (e.g., olive mill waste composts and pomace, other kinds of composts, municipal wastes, and recycled pruning materials) are used as soil amendments and bio-fertilizers for crops [13][14][15][16][17][18]. In other cases, in order to support organic farming and ecosystem services, decrease fertilizer inputs, and enhance the sustainable management of agricultural ecosystems, the integration of laying hens with orchards and the use of cover crops were suggested [15,19].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Independent or Combinational Application of Sheep Manure and Litter from Indigenous Field Vegetation of Quercus sp. Influences Nutrient Uptake, Photosynthesis, Intrinsic Water Use Efficiency, and Foliar Sugar Concentrations in Olive Plants (Olea europaea L., cv. “Koroneiki”)

Chatzistathis¹,

Chatzissavvidis

Papaioannou

et al. 2023

Applied Sciences

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The recent energy crisis has increased the cost of fertilization for olive growers. This is why alternative nutrient sources, such as manures and other organic materials, could be used to sustain olive production within the framework of sustainable agriculture, by decreasing chemical fertilization inputs. A greenhouse pot experiment was established with a marl soil substrate that was modified with three amendments (sheep manure, or SM; litter from evergreen broadleaf species, or EBLS, such as Quercus sp.; their combination, i.e., SM + EBLS) and a control soil (no application of amendments) to investigate their influence on the nutrition, physiology, and leaf sugar concentrations of olive plants. Plant growth was not significantly affected by the amendments, while the lowest leaf N, K, and Zn concentrations were determined in the control soil. Significantly higher photosynthetic rate was determined in the SM + EBLS, compared to SM. Significantly higher intercellular CO2 was found in the EBLS and SM + EBLS, while significantly higher intrinsic water use efficiency (WUEi) was found in the SM + EBLS and the control. Significantly higher translocated sugar content was recorded in the SM + EBLS compared to the control. Overall, it was concluded that the optimum treatment was SM + EBLS, i.e., the combinational application of SM and EBLS. However, multi-year research under field conditions is necessary to draw more stable conclusions about the beneficial role of organic amendments on the nutrition and physiology of olive trees.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Independent or Combinational Application of Sheep Manure and Litter from Indigenous Field Vegetation of Quercus sp. Influences Nutrient Uptake, Photosynthesis, Intrinsic Water Use Efficiency, and Foliar Sugar Concentrations in Olive Plants (Olea europaea L., cv. “Koroneiki”)

Chatzistathis¹,

Chatzissavvidis

Papaioannou

et al. 2023

Applied Sciences

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Thus, solving the problem of land resources and balancing supply and demand is the key to improving China’s implementation of the free-range system for improving laying hen welfare. Several studies have shown that agro-forestry, the incorporation of animals into woodlands, provides reciprocal benefits for both trees and animals, such as nutrient cycling, natural conservation, weed and pest control [ 30 , 33 , 34 ]. This is in line with the expectations and requirements of the Chinese government for woodland use [ 73 ].…”

Section: Challenges and Solutions To The Free-range Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This combination can increase the productivity of the land and diversify income sources for farmers. Several studies [ 32 , 33 , 34 ] suggest that the use of woodland for free-range poultry may improve their welfare. The current practice of and research on understory laying hen projects are not uncommon in China [ 35 ]; however, there has been little focus on animal welfare, and it is rarely seen as an alternative to cage farming systems.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Potential of Understory Production Systems to Improve Laying Hen Welfare

Yan

Yang

Zhu

et al. 2022

Animals

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The welfare of laying hens in cage systems is of increasing concern. Represented by the European Union’s ‘End the Cage Age’ initiative, more and more countries have advocated cage-free farming. China, an important country for poultry farming and consumption in the world, is highly dependent on cage systems and lacks confidence in alternative (e.g., free-range) systems. In this context, using China’s abundant woodland resources (including natural forests, plantations, and commercial forests) to facilitate the management of laying hens in a free-range environment may provide highly promising welfare improvement programs. On the basis of the Five Freedoms, we assess the welfare status of understory laying hen management systems with reference to the behavioural needs and preferences of laying hens and the EU standards for free-range and organic production (highest animal welfare standards in the world). The results show that the considered systems meet or even exceed these standards, in terms of key indicators such as outdoor and indoor stocking density, outdoor activity time, and food and drug use. Specifically, the systems provide sufficient organic food for laying hens without using antibiotics. They allow laying hens to avoid beak trimming, as well as to express nesting, foraging, perching, reproductive, dustbathing and other priority behaviours. The presence of roosters and higher use of woodland space allow the laying hens to achieve better feather and bone conditions, thus reducing stress and fear damage. Notably, the predation problem is not yet considered significant. Second, there is evidence that understory laying hen systems are profitable and have been welcomed and supported by farmers and governments in the southwest, south, and north of China. However, whether it can be scaled up is uncertain, and further research is needed. In addition, laying hens in this management system face various risks, such as foot injury, parasitism, and high dependence on consumer markets, which must be considered. Overall, agro-forestry, or accurately, understory poultry raising, provides opportunities and possibilities for free-range laying hens and welfare improvement in China and other countries.

show abstract